Here's the NBC television intro for their early-80s presentation (the video says 1983, but I'm pretty sure it actually aired in '82) of Roger Corman's space war epic, Battle Beyond The Stars. This was the first time I saw the film, and I remember that I had some friends over that evening and we had a great time watching it. I always thought it amusing that NBC blurred out St. Exmin's (Sybil Danning) cleavage, especially since the network was well known for its T&A-centric programming.
I had the pleasure of seeing this movie a few times on theaters when it came out in 1980 when I was 10 years old an I never forgot about it. It remains one of my cult classics.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my all time favorite is STARCRASH...which when I was a kid I even loved it more than Star Wars and to this day is my favorite space-opera (amazing bluray edition).
BBTS is my second favorite but it was a movie I never forgot.
I too was able to see both BBTS and Starcrash at the theater. Also, Damnation Alley and Warlords of Atlantis!
ReplyDeleteLove them all! Somehow missed one of my other favorites from that era, Laserblast. Seen BBTS at the old Brentwood on South Federal in Denver. Excellent!
I also saw BBtS in the theater, but was unimpressed. At the time, I expected ILM quality effects and was disappointed on that count, and I found the deaths of most of the defenders to be quite depressing. It wasn't until that last DVD and BluRay release (and your artcles touting the movie's merits) that I gave it a second look. Your infectious enthusiasm for the film, combined with my having seen both "The Magnificent Seven" and "Seven Samurai" in the intervening years has made me appreciate it much more. I now enjoy it unreservedly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris.
By the way has anyone seen THE HUMANOID ? Was I the only person who saw it in theaters back in 1980 ? ;)
ReplyDeleteIt was another Italian star wars rip-off but really fun to watch.
THE HUMANOID never received a legitimate U.S. release in theaters or home video. I have a bootleg DVD. You're right -- it is fun.
DeleteAh, that is why it was so hard for me to put my hands on that movie. Some years ago I bought a bootleg dvd copy from a shady US website. But it was the only way for me to see THE HUMANOID after 30 years again. Before it was available on Youtube. My dvd was a vhs-rip from a television taping when the movie was shown in Japan i guess because it was subtitled in Japanese ! :)
DeleteI have no idea where the copy which is now on youtube comes from. Look similar to mine but with slightly good image... I would love to get this movie remastered as it was done for Starcrash which looks incredible on blueray.